Cole Island – Lake Champlain Islands
Cole Island is part of the Lake Champlain Islands Management Complex (LCIMC). At less than 1 acre in size, it is one of Lake Champlain’s smallest islands. Cole Island is located in the Town of Westport, NY – about 5 miles south of the Westport Boat Launch. Cole Island is used for picnicking and other day use activities, but is too small to sustain overnight use.
Legend has it that Father Isaac Jogues was brought to this island by his Mohawk captors and tortured. Isaac Jogues was a French Jesuit priest who was captured by the Iroquois in 1642 while travelling from from Trois-Rivières to Quebec City. Jogues was tortured and held captive for almost ten months before being released.
He returned to the Mohawks four years later to continue his mission, but was put to death near Auriesville, NY in 1646.
Other notes:
Because it’s tucked into a well-sheltered harbor, the island offers protection from the strong south winds, making it a popular anchorage for recreational boaters. The island does receive a considerable amount of day use from the nearby Camp Dudley summer camp.
- Upper Fish Bladder Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Fish Bladder Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Cloak Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Four Brothers Islands – Lake Champlain Islands
- Gunboat Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Cole Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Cedar Island – Lake Champlain Islands
- Schuyler Island – Lake Champlain Islands